To ask the Minister for Infrastructure, in relation to rail services to and from Derry~Londonderry on a permanent basis, what plans there are to increase the frequency of trains (i) at peak times before 0900 and between 1600 to 1800; (ii) on Sundays; and (iii) later than 2110 from Belfast.

Since coming into office, I have been clear that my priority is addressing regional imbalance, better connecting communities and, importantly, ensuring that we shape our places around our people, for our people and with our people.

My Department has submitted a bid of £2.8m to enhance services on the Belfast – Derry Line for the period 2021-22 to 2024-25 from New Decade New Approach Unique Circumstances Funding administered by the Northern Ireland Office. The bid included proposals for the enhancement of services containing:

an hourly Derry –Coleraine frequency on a Sunday;

an additional early morning service from Derry to Belfast connecting with the 08.00hrs Enterprise service to Dublin; and

an additional later night Saturday service from Belfast arriving in Derry at 0:44 hours

Funding has not yet been made available in respect of this bid however my Department and Translink remain ready to implement these enhancements should it be made available.